Yellowstone’s Best Prequel Owes Everything to a Problematic Taylor Sheridan Trend

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Okay, so I’m really excited about the next Yellowstone prequel – it honestly feels like Taylor Sheridan might have outdone himself with this one. What’s interesting is that it might actually benefit from something fans haven’t loved in the other spinoffs. We’ve already gotten three series done – 1883 and 1923 were the first two, and then the original Yellowstone wrapped up with Season 5, Part 2 this year. It’s a lot of Dutton family history, but this next one feels special.

Despite some debate over how the latest season of Yellowstone concluded, both Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2, and 1923 Season 2 marked the end of their respective series, both offering satisfying conclusions. However, some fans found 1883 and 1923 a bit disappointing, and that negative reaction might actually benefit the upcoming prequel series.

1883 And 1923 Are Yellowstone’s Tight-Knit Prequel Series

As a big fan of Yellowstone, I was really excited to check out 1883, the first prequel Taylor Sheridan did. It basically shows how the Dutton family first came to Montana, way back in 1883. The show follows James and Margaret Dutton – played by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, which was awesome – as they lead their kids on a tough journey west, kind of like the Oregon Trail, looking for a place to settle and build their ranch.

1883, widely considered the best of the Yellowstone prequel series, was designed as a complete, self-contained story. The ten-episode saga is told through the eyes of Elsa (Isabel May), the daughter of James and Margaret Dutton. While Taylor Sheridan later expanded the Yellowstone history with 1923, 1883 felt like a satisfying, yet incomplete, journey for many viewers.

Set in the Prohibition era, 1923 follows the Dutton family as they continue to build their ranch after Jacob and Cara Dutton take charge. Despite having only five more episodes than the previous series, the show delves into their lives and features Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren in leading roles.

Taylor Sheridan considers 1923 one continuous story split into two parts. Initially planned as a single 10-episode season, similar to 1883, it ended up being divided into eight episodes for Season 1 and seven for Season 2. This makes each part of 1923 one of the shorter seasons within the Yellowstone universe.

Taylor Sheridan Established An Unpopular Yellowstone Prequel Trend

Although the limited run of 1883 and 1923 likely strengthened the storytelling, it disappointed some viewers. The news that 1883 wouldn’t have a second season upset many fans, especially considering the heartbreaking fates of its central characters and the fact that the story wouldn’t continue with a new group of people.

Rather than continuing the story immediately after the events of 1883, Sheridan moved the timeline forward to 1923. This new series expanded on the Dutton family’s history with a fresh cast of characters. Though 1923 had five more episodes than its predecessor, it still captivated viewers and left them eager for more.

Similar to 1883, the story of the Dutton family in the 1920s feels complete, especially after the events surrounding Alex Dutton. The series ended rather suddenly and on a sad note, leaving viewers wanting a continuation. This pattern, though, might actually benefit the next Yellowstone prequel, now that Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount.

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Prequel Trend Is Great News For 1944

Okay, so the big news is Taylor Sheridan is reportedly heading to NBCUniversal once his current deal with Paramount+ wraps up at the end of 2028. From what I understand, he’ll be creating content specifically for Peacock, their streaming service. This means he’ll be shifting away from his shows on Paramount+, though interestingly, Paramount still owns those shows and could potentially continue them without Sheridan’s involvement. It’s a significant move, and raises questions about the future of those popular series!

Even though the Yellowstone prequel series have faced some criticism, the style Taylor Sheridan created with his earlier historical dramas might be the key to successfully finishing the current, uncertain season. Sheridan is committed to his work with Paramount for the next couple of years, but he’s also juggling multiple TV shows and has limited time to tie up all loose ends.

Several planned Yellowstone spinoffs, including 6666 and a show set in the 1960s, might not move forward. While projects like The Dutton Ranch, focusing on Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser), could continue even without Taylor Sheridan’s full involvement, he might not stay on to finish the entire story. This gives 1944 a stronger position.

While past Taylor Sheridan projects have sometimes split audiences, this could actually benefit his new World War II prequel, 1944, which was announced in 2023. If 1944 is similar in length to 1883 and 1923, fans might get to see the complete story before Sheridan moves on to other projects, giving it a real edge.

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2025-12-16 07:37